On a positive note, Malaysia’s Wildlife Department has begun publicizing Special Permit decisions, ie, decisions to allow individuals or organizations to possess critically endangered species. Lulus=Approved; Tidak Lulus=Not Approved. Unfortunately, the list does not name the species approved/denied or the quantity…which brings us back to the title of this post…

PETALING JAYA: Environmental groups welcome the Government’s intention to make wildlife special permits approval a more transparent process, to curb the illegal trade in wildlife contributing to species extinction.

World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia executive director Datuk Dr Dionysius Sharma suggested that a formal committee be set up with relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs) sitting in by invitation.

“This committee also needs a specific Terms of Reference (ToR) so its role and responsibilities

The following story was reported today by Malaysia’s Hilary Chiew in The Star….

(To be seen is whether this is a meaningful reform or simply a shuffling of chairs . One sign will no doubt be the result of the corruption investigation report referred to in the story. Will it be an “Old Story” or a new one?)

Minister to chair special wildlife permit panel

By HILARY CHIEW

PETALING JAYA: The issuing of special permits for totally protected species will now be decided at the ministry level following complaints of mismanagement and corruption at the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).

Natural Resources and Environ­ment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas, who said this, added that he had taken over the special permit committee chairmanship from the Perhilitan director-general.

“Previously, special permits were vetted by Perhilitan and referred to the minister for the signature. From now, I will chair the committee with guidance from top officials in the ministry and the legal officer.

“We realised that we need another body to cross-check what’s happening on the ground. This is a new approach … We will include the views of non-governmental organisations to improve the system,” he told The Star. (more…)